Alicia Nunez

Nunez wants to use this cultural experience to help improve Latino health.

With an attitude of “Si, se puede” (Yes, you can), Nunez earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in public health from San Diego State University.

She’s gone on to conduct field work and research to examine sociocultural factors relating to Latino health. Her goals are to work with disadvantaged populations to promote healthy lifestyles and well-being.

To expand her academic horizons, Nunez applied for the Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program, which offers a five-day summer institute and internships to encourage master’s-level students and health professionals to pursue a doctoral degree and a cancer research career.

Armed with new skills and motivation for applying to a doctorate, Nunez now hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in psychology and health disparities.

“The Éxito! Summer Institute has played a significant role in terms of providing me with instrumental support to apply to doctoral-level education,” she said.